5 questions facing the Giants heading into the 2014 season

This is an even-numbered year, so the Giants will win another World Series, right?

If only it were that simple. The Giants are coming off a 76-86 season, a stunning collapse one season removed from their second championship in three years. Injury, fatigue and a lack of new blood on the roster were the most common explanations.

The 2014 Giants will feature a few new players, but they largely are pinning their hopes on bounce-back years from players who, just 16 months ago, paraded through downtown San Francisco with another trophy.

Naturally, a team that collapsed so quickly is fertile ground for questions. As the Giants prepare to open spring training in Scottsdale, Ariz., on Friday, here are the top five:

-- Is their pitching deep enough? Last season, Giants pitchers had the worst park-adjusted ERA in the National League. General manager Brian Sabean promised an overhaul. But the only new pitchers with major-league experience in 2014 are starter Tim Hudson and swingman David Huff.

It is wrong to say the Giants did nothing because nabbing Hudson and re-signing Tim Lincecum, Ryan Vogelsong and Javier Lopez was definitely something. But the question will remain at least until the trade deadline: Will they be better able to withstand an injury than last year, with Yusmeiro Petit and a bunch of young starters and relievers as Plan B?

As the Giants prepare to open spring training, here are some important questions to answer:

Is their pitching deep enough? General manager Brian Sabean promised an overhaul. But the only new pitchers with major-league experience in 2014 are starter Tim Hudson... less

As the Giants prepare to open spring training, here are some important questions to answer:

Is their pitching deep enough? General manager Brian Sabean promised an overhaul. But the only new pitchers with ... more

Photo: Thearon W. Henderson, Getty Images

Photo: Thearon W. Henderson, Getty Images

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As the Giants prepare to open spring training, here are some important questions to answer:

Is their pitching deep enough? General manager Brian Sabean promised an overhaul. But the only new pitchers with major-league experience in 2014 are starter Tim Hudson... less

As the Giants prepare to open spring training, here are some important questions to answer:

Is their pitching deep enough? General manager Brian Sabean promised an overhaul. But the only new pitchers with ... more

Photo: Thearon W. Henderson, Getty Images

5 questions facing the Giants heading into the 2014 season

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Rather than toss more money around in free agency or trade prospects, the Giants are wagering that an uptick in performance and health will be enough. It's a risky bet.

-- Is this the Panda's Giants farewell? Pablo Sandoval's time in San Francisco could end with the slimmer Panda having a monster year and pricing himself out of town, or it could end with another season of injury and weight gain, and the Giants washing their hands of the still-popular third baseman.

But Sandoval's time in San Francisco does not have to end in 2014. The Giants might take an enormous gamble on Sandoval's maturity and sign him to a contract extension before the season, or wait until the end of a bounce-back year and lavish him with Hunter Pence-style millions to keep him from free agency.

The Giants hope they face the dilemma of what to do with a productive Sandoval. If he stays healthy, a skinnier Panda should give the offense a huge lift, because no matter his size the guy can plain rake.

-- How can they get to 700 runs? In 2010 and 2012, the two championship seasons, the Giants scored 697 and 718 runs respectively. In 2011, the year Buster Posey got hurt, they plunged to 570. Last year's losing team reached 629. All seasons are different, and there are no hard and fast rules, but 700 runs seems to portend good things.

How do they recover the 75 or so runs they need to reach the plateau? They need to avoid devastating injuries such as Angel Pagan's hamstring tear, while Sandoval, Posey, Hunter Pence and Brandon Belt produce in the middle of the lineup.

The question within the question is whether Michael Morse - if he stays healthy - can provide the pop in left field that the Giants need so desperately.

-- Does Brandon Belt become a star in 2014? Belt's numbers in his first 500-at-bat season were pretty good: a .289 average, 17 home runs and an .841 OPS. Had the Giants contended last year, the Baby Giraffe would have been noticed.

Even with those numbers, Belt would be the first to say that 2013 was not a year in which he put it all together. He still needed to adjust his grip and stance. When he did, he took off.

Skeptics say Belt fattened his stats in non-pressure situations. If the Giants contend, Belt will be able to prove them wrong,

-- Will any kids make a big impact? They better, because management's conservative player-acquisition strategy this winter depended on it, especially on the mound.

It's not just starter Edwin Escobar, a 21-year-old lefty who could make the jump to the majors soon, but also relievers Heath Hembree, Jake Dunning and Derek Law. The first two got a taste of the majors in 2013 and showed promise. Law walked one and struck out 45 in 22 games at Class A San Jose and will get a long look this spring.

This has to be the make-or-break season for 2010 first-round draft pick Gary Brown, a center fielder who has busted his tail trying to master hitting in the minors, with disappointing results.